Optus announced today the launch of Pre-Paid Push to Talk (PTT), a first for the Australian mobile market.

The PTT service allows a user to chat with up to five people at the same time. With the Group SMS capability on a PTT handset, a user is also able to broadcast an SMS to the same five people.

As a launch offer, Optus customers will be able to enjoy the PTT service free of charge on Nokia PTT handsets until the end of February 2006.

"With the majority of PTT customers belonging to the youth segment, a prepaid offering on the Optus PTT service is a natural fit," said Michael Smith, Marketing Director of the Optus Consumer Division.

"PTT is one of the most interactive mobile services to be introduced in recent times. It offers groups of friends a fast and easy way to speak with one another at the same time. And according to Optus market research, this ability to keep in touch instantaneously is especially important for young people.

"The service is also a valuable resource for small business owners - particularly those that rely heavily on teamwork, such as landscapers, couriers and caterers.

"PTT means that being out on the road or off site at a job does not impede on getting instant updates from the business headquarters."

In March 2006, the standard monthly plan rate will be $14.95 for unlimited usage. Casual users can access the service on a daily rate of 95 cents (for unlimited usage), charged only on days the service is used. The rates are the same for existing postpaid users of Optus PTT.

Group SMS is priced at the standard rate of 25 cents per group message, which means up to five recipients will receive the SMS message for the price of one.

In May 2005, Optus introduced PTT with the Optus $49 Cap plan and in August added the Group SMS capability.

Optus Push to Talk is widely available, working across the Optus GSM network that reaches 96 per cent of the Australian population.

For more information:
Cindy Beukes
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: +61 2 9342 8138